Amazon doesn’t need any introduction. It was founded in 1994, and since then, it’s become one of the biggest companies in the world – with its founder rivalling Elon Musk’s net worth. Its affordable price and fantastic customer service make it a one-stop shop online, and it’s yet to have a real competitor to its market dominance.
But since the August 2015 New York Times exposé “Inside Amazon: Wrestling with Big Ideas in a Bruising Workplace,” many consumers have refused to do business with the company because of its poor treatment of workers. That leaves the question—what are some Amazon alternatives for online shopping?
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What Are The Best Alternatives To Amazon?
Many customers who did the bulk of their online shopping on Amazon are now looking for more ethical alternatives that offer similar services, although it’s admittedly hard to find the same level of quality. Depending on what you’re looking to purchase, the following are some great Amazon alternatives.
eBay
As of December 2024, Amazon.co.uk led the marketplace category with approximately 448.5 million visits, while eBay.co.uk followed with around 208.2 million visits.
- Similarity to Amazon – While not the most sustainable on this list, it should be mentioned that eBay is the obvious alternative to shopping at Amazon. Both platforms utilise third-party sellers, who are independent vendors listing both new and used products to reach consumers.
- Seller-defined platform – eBay puts quality control more in the hands of the consumer than Amazon does, making it a seller-defined space dependent on social proof (via ratings).
- Market adaption – eBay are continuing to adapt to the needs of their consumers. For example, in October 2024, eBay UK removed final-value fees for all domestic consumer-to-consumer sales (except automobiles).
Rapanui
Rapanui was established in 2008 on the Isle of Wight and is a player in the sustainable fashion sector, with its organic products made from cotton via a wind-powered factory.
- Recyclable clothing – Rapanui’s slogan is ‘made to last’, and when it comes to ethical clothing, there is much worse you can do. The brand designs surround products intended for recycling, allowing customers to return worn-out items to be remade into new garments, creating a circular economy.
- Customisation – Since their product range is all made on-demand, they have added the much-welcome capability of customising clothing, adding a unique twist to their offerings.
Hive
Hive.co.uk, established in 2011, is a UK-based online retailer offering over a million products, including books, eBooks, DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, and memorabilia. Points of interest include:
- Book stock – One of the most popular purchases on Amazon has always been books, as they’re known to stock almost every book under the sun. Hive is a website that is rapidly becoming able to make the same claim.
- Free delivery – Hive offers free delivery within the UK, impressive considering their vast network.
- Support local businesses – By buying from Hive, you support independent small businesses and local retailers by giving a portion of their sales to related businesses.
Depop
Depop, established in 2011, is a UK-based social e-commerce platform that enables users to buy and sell fashion items, particularly second-hand and vintage clothing.
- Private sellers – Depop allows you to buy from nearby individual sellers, combining the feel of shopping at a local store with the convenience of an online retailer, much like eBay.
- Easy usage – You can download the app for easy browsing and find everything from trendy streetwear to vintage handbags for affordable prices.
John Lewis
John Lewis & Partners, a prominent UK-based department store chain, has been a cornerstone of British retail since its founding in 1864. It doesn’t need much introduction, though its online shopping capabilities have improved since Amazon’s rise to dominance.
- Diverse product range –When it comes to finding a wide range of premium furniture and homeware products all under one roof, you can’t go wrong with John Lewis. They also offer hard-to-find products, making them a unique destination for diverse shopping needs.
- High trust – It has been a go-to site in the UK for many years now, and it has garnered the respect that it deserves for selling quality products and providing a reliable service. Furthermore, its fiscal year ended in January 2024, with reports of a continuous increase in revenue (2% for the last year).
- Electronics seller – John Lewis is also known for their electronics range, which is known to boast the latest in technology from big-name brands in the industry.
Ethical Superstore
Ethical Superstore, founded in 2006 and based in Gateshead, UK, is a retailer specialising in fair trade, organic, and eco-friendly products. As far as ethical alternatives go, this option has a lot going for it:
- Consistent growth – During the Cyber Week of 2023, Ethical Superstore reported a 59% increase in conversions year-over-year, a 10% decrease in cost per acquisition, a 25% increase in conversion rate, and a 20% increase in return on ad spend.
- Diverse product range – This incredible online marketplace has groceries, pet food/supplies, hygiene products, gifts, and more. Amongst ethical alternatives to Amazon, this is a more well-rounded option.
- Possible leader – This site is on the rise, and it’s expected that its customer base will grow exponentially in upcoming years as people become more ethically minded. The ethical retail sector in the UK has been experiencing notable growth. In 2022, the ethical personal products market grew by 20% from 2021, reaching £2.15 billion. This growth was primarily driven by a 49% increase in secondhand clothing purchases.
Wayfair
Wayfair, founded in 2002 by Niraj Shah and Steve Conine, is a leading online retailer specialising in home goods and furniture. Reasons you should consider this site for Amazon alternatives are as follows:
- Large customer base – Wayfair has 21.8 million active customers as of 2024. Within the UK’s home furniture market, it is competing with companies such as IKEA, Dunelm Group PLC, and DFS Furniture PLC.
- Constant innovation – Wayfair has invested significant amounts of its revenue into its logistics network to provide exceptional customer service and maintain its fast delivery times.
Peace With The Wild
Peace With The Wild, established in 2018, is another UK-based retailer specialising in online convenience and sustainable products. Reasons to consider it amongst your Amazon alternatives include:
- Consistent growth – The company increased its workforce by 33%, employing 16 individuals as of June 2023, up from 12 in the previous year.
- Diverse range – They offer a wide array of products, including skincare, haircare, makeup, bathroom essentials, kitchenware, and more, all of which are sustainable products.
Lush
Lush was founded in 1995 in Poole, Dorset, Lush is a UK-based cosmetics retailer known for its handmade, ethically sourced products.
- High-quality products – Lush focuses on making fresh, handmade bath and beauty products with sustainable packaging or even package-free solutions. Lush’s range of products is known for its delicious smells, bright colours, and interesting shapes.
- Cost-effective products – By choosing Lush, you can save money through their cost-effective and long-lasting products. Whether you are looking for a gift for a friend or want to spoil yourself, Lush is a great brand to support.
- Global Presence– Lush operates in 48 countries with over 900 stores worldwide.
Etsy
Established in 2005, Etsy is a global online marketplace focusing on handmade, vintage, and craft supply items.
- Fast growth – Etsy has become one of the fastest-growing online marketplaces and is geared towards providing a platform for handmade items. Similar to Thrive Market, which offers a wide selection of sustainable and organic products tailored to specific dietary and lifestyle needs.
- Wide sustainability – Etsy has a massive focus on sustainability, and all of its operations are run off renewable energy sources.
- Supporting Local Retailers – Etsy has given incredible opportunities to entrepreneurs and handmade artisans. If you have a business that focuses on selling handmade goods, it’s a good idea to look at becoming a vendor on Etsy.
Alternatives To Amazon Music And Amazon TV
If you’re currently a subscriber of Amazon Music and Amazon TV, quick and easy switches would be Spotify for your music needs and Netflix for your movies, TV shows and documentaries. But frankly, you have dozens of great options available to you in this regard.
Conclusion
With just a little bit of research, it’s easy to find ethical Amazon alternatives for almost any product when shopping online in the UK. By simply changing your online shopping habits, you could help start making steps towards a fairer working lifestyle, and sustainability.
FAQ – What are other reasons you should find online alternatives to Amazon?
In addition to Amazon’s alleged employee mistreatment, there are a few other reasons why you may want to avoid buying from this industry giant:
- Market dominance – Amazon commands over 30% of the UK’s e-commerce market, making it the number one online retailer by more than double that of Sainsbury’s.
- Market manipulation – Amazon favours vendors willing to abide by their FBA Amazon logistics.
- Market distortion –Amazon faces a £2.7 billion lawsuit from over 200,000 British third-party sellers due to alleged anticompetitive conduct.
Other issues include censorship, tax evasion, vendor bullying, and customer sabotage.
